As a queer person of colour, the journey to founding Dhamaka Arts has been one of discovery, growth, and a deep desire to create work that speaks directly to the communities I come from. In a world where queer stories are often told through a white lens, I wanted to create a space where the stories of queer people of colour (QPOC) are seen, heard, and celebrated. Dhamaka Arts was born out of that very need—a company dedicated to producing bold, unapologetic theatre that reflects the complexity and beauty of our lives.
The Spark Behind Dhamaka Arts
Growing up, I rarely saw stories that reflected my experience—being both queer and from a Pakistani, Muslim background. My identity felt like a series of fragmented pieces, never fully represented or understood in mainstream media or theatre. As I navigated the challenges of being queer, of balancing the cultural expectations of my family and faith with my own sense of self, I realised that if I didn’t see the stories I needed, I would have to create them.
Dhamaka Arts is the result of this personal journey—a response to the need for more representation and a space for the voices of queer people of colour. I wanted to give us a platform to tell our stories, to navigate our complexities, and to celebrate who we are without shame or fear. The name “Dhamaka,” meaning “explosion” in Hindi/Urdu, reflects the energy and impact I hope our work has—challenging norms, shifting perspectives, and creating a powerful space for diverse queer voices.
The Importance of Representation
For queer people of colour, representation matters not just for validation but for visibility. Growing up, I was told I was “too much” in every way—too loud, too queer, too brown. I never saw myself in the narratives being presented on stage. Even when I did see queer stories, they rarely reflected my cultural context, my upbringing, or the intersectionality that defines my existence. This lack of representation is not just frustrating—it can be damaging.
Theatre has always been a powerful tool for change, for amplifying voices that have been marginalised. By creating queer theatre for people of colour, Dhamaka Arts is doing more than just telling a story; it’s opening a conversation about what it means to exist at the intersection of multiple identities. It’s about showing that our experiences—our joy, pain, struggles, and victories—are worthy of being seen and celebrated on stage. We deserve to have our stories told in a way that honours the complexity of our lived realities.
The Impact of Queer Theatre in Communities of Colour
Queer theatre has the power to dismantle harmful stereotypes, offer alternative narratives, and create spaces for empathy and understanding. But for queer people of colour, it also serves as a tool of resistance. Our stories are often erased or simplified in mainstream narratives, but through theatre, we can reclaim our voices, celebrate our cultures, and challenge the systems that seek to silence us.
For communities of colour, queer theatre has the ability to bridge generational gaps, especially in cultures where queerness may be seen as taboo or incompatible with traditional values. By weaving queerness into the fabric of our cultural stories, we challenge the norms and offer new ways of thinking about family, identity, love, and belonging. This is particularly important in the context of diaspora communities, where many individuals live in the intersection of multiple worlds—cultures, religions, and societal expectations. The theatre becomes a space to process and negotiate these complexities.
At Dhamaka Arts, we work not just to create theatre but to build a community. Our work is for queer people of colour, by queer people of colour. It’s a space where we can come together to explore our identities, our struggles, and our triumphs, and in doing so, we create a ripple effect that touches others in the wider community. It’s about showing that we are here, that we matter, and that our stories are valuable.
The Future of Dhamaka Arts
As we continue to grow, Dhamaka Arts is committed to pushing boundaries, amplifying voices, and creating theatre that challenges societal norms. We want to make work that speaks to the heart of queer people of colour—stories that are raw, honest, and unapologetically ours. Our productions are about more than entertainment; they are about reflection, transformation, and fostering a sense of belonging.
As a company, we aim to provide a platform for emerging queer artists of colour, nurturing the next generation of storytellers who will continue to push the boundaries of theatre. Dhamaka Arts is not just about creating work; it’s about creating a movement. A movement that empowers queer people of colour to see themselves, be proud of themselves, and to take up space in the world.
In Conclusion
The journey of Dhamaka Arts is still unfolding, but at its heart, it’s about giving queer people of colour the representation we deserve. It’s about telling our stories, celebrating our identities, and creating a space where we can exist fully and authentically. Queer theatre is more than just a form of art—it’s a tool for change, empowerment, and healing. Through Dhamaka Arts, I hope to continue creating work that not only reflects the lives of queer people of colour but also uplifts and inspires others to tell their own stories.
This is just the beginning of Dhamaka Arts, and I am so excited to see where the journey takes us
Dhamaka Arts 